Several high-ranking Trump officials, known as the 'God Squad', voted to quash Endangered Species Act regulations in the Gulf of Mexico, exempting all oil and gas drilling. This decision could potentially harm the critically endangered Rice's whale, which only exists in this area. The committee, which has the power to decide exemptions in the law, voted for an exemption on national security grounds. This is only the fourth time in history the committee has voted for this. The exemption was requested by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for all oil or gas exploration in the area due to environmental group lawsuits aimed to protect endangered species. The American Petroleum Institute did not lobby the administration for this exemption, but has a long track record of developing offshore energy responsibly. Environmental groups plan to challenge the administration's actions, calling it illegal action.